cover image MODERN GREEK: 170 Contemporary Recipes from the Mediterranean

MODERN GREEK: 170 Contemporary Recipes from the Mediterranean

Andy Harris, Chronicle Books, , photos by William Meppem. . Chronicle, $22.95 (160pp) ISBN 978-0-8118-3480-3

Harris (A Taste of the Aegean) returns to the Greek cuisine he loves in this beautifully designed and photographed book. Using customary Greek ingredients—Feta and Kefalotiri cheeses, zucchini, eggplant, filo pastry—he offers both new and traditional dishes, from Tiganopsomo (Fried Cheese Pastries) and Zucchini Moussaka to the classic Horiatiki Salad (Greek Salad) and Spanakopita. The rustic theme so often apparent in Greek food is also given weight, as with the warming Chicken with Zucchini, Green Olives and Green Garlic with its rich juices so ideal for sopping up with a country loaf, and the flavorful and colorful Bourdetto (Spicy Fish Stew). From simple grills and kebabs to the slightly more complicated desserts, Harris provides well-written instructions which put the recipes within most cooks' skill range, from the enthusiastic beginner to those who wish to add the cuisine of a well-loved tourist destination to their repertoire. With this in mind, he ends the volume with a full guide to the Greek cupboard, demystifying the range of cheeses, olives and spices that populate Greek fare. The resulting book is a fresh, inviting look at an increasingly popular cuisine. (Sept)